Skip to main content

Part of the book series: Springer Natural Hazards ((SPRINGERNAT))

Abstract

The present study established the link between critical rainfall (cr), critical slope angle (cs), critical height (ch) and landslide. The critical rainfall was estimated incorporating geo-technical parameters such as angle of internal friction (\(\varphi\)), slope angle (⊖), upslope contributing area (UCA), transmissivity (T), wet soil density (ps), and density of water (pw). Cohesion (c), angle of internal friction (\(\varphi\)), unit weight of the materials (γ), and slope angle (⊖) were taken into account to estimate critical slope height. The thickness of total soil (h), thickness of saturated soil (z), wet soil density (Ps), density of water (Pw), friction angle (\(\varphi\)) and slope steepness (⊖) were considered to derive critical slope angle. Study attempted to calculate critical rain to slope failure and its return period. The temporal probability of the landslide events were estimated applying Binomial and Poisson Probability Distribution Model based on past landslide occurrences. The probability model suggests that occurrences of major landslides with more than 90 % certainty could be expected in every 7.5 years.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aleotti P (2004) A warning system of rainfall-induced shallow failure. Eng Geol 73:247–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basu SR, Sarkar S (1985) Some consideration on recent landslides at Tindharia and their control. Indian J Power River Valley Dev 190–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Basu SR, Sarkar S (1988) Ecosystem vis–a–vis Landslides, a case study in Darjeeling Himalayas. Impact of Development on Environment (Ed). The Geog Soc India, Cal II:45–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Basu SR, Maiti RK (2001) Unscientific mining and degradation of slopes in the Darjeeling Himalayas. Chang Env Scenerio Indian Subcont (Bd) 390–399

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom AL (1991) Geomorphology, a systematic analysis of the Cenozoic Landforms. Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, pp 76–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Borga et al (1998) Shallow Landslide hazard assessment using a physically based model and digital elevation data. J Environ Geol 35(2–30):81–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brunsden D, Jones DKC, Martin RP, Doornkamp JC (1981) The geomorphological character of part of the Low Himalaya of Eastern Nepal. Z Geomorph NF Suppl-Bd 37:25–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Caine N (1980) The rainfall intensity–duration control of shallow landslides and debris flows. Geogr Ann 62A:23–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caine N, Mool PK (1982) Landslides in the kolpu khola drainage, middle mountain nepal. Mt Res Dev 2:157–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell RH (1975) Soil slips, debris flows, and rainstorms in the santa monica mountains and vicinity, Southern California. US Geol Surv Prof Paper 851:1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Cannon SH, Ellen SD (1985) Rainfall conditions for abundant debris avalanches, San Francisco Bay region. Calif Geol 38(12):267–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Cannon SH (1988) Regional rainfall-threshold conditions for abundant debris-flow activity. In: Ellen SD, Wieczorek GF (eds) Landslides, floods, and marine effects of the storm of January 3–5, 1982, in the San Francisco Bay Region, California. US Geol Surv Prof Paper 1434:27–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardinali M, Galli M, Guzzetti F, Ardizzone F, Reichenbach P, Bartoccini P (2006) Rainfall induced landslides in December 2004 in Southwestern Umbria, Central Italy. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 6:237–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carson MA (1977a) Application of the concepts of Threshold slopes to the laramie mountains, Wyoming. Inst Br Geogr Spec Publ 3:31–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Carson MA (1977b) Threshold and characteristic angles of straight slopes. In: Proceedings of the 4th Guelph symposium on geomorphology, Norwich Geo Books, pp 19–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Carson MA (1977c) Angle of repose, angles of shearing resistance at angle of talus slopes. Earth Surf Process 2:263–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ceriani M, Lauzi S, Padovan N (1992) Rainfall and landslides in the Alpine area of Lombardia Region, central Alps, Italy. In: Interpraevent international symposium, Bern, vol. 2, pp. 9–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Chow VT (1951) General formula for hydrologic frequency analysis. Am Geophys Union Trans 32:231–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chow VT (1954) The long-probability law and its engineering applications. ASCE 80 (Separate No. 536)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotecchia V (1978) Systematic reconnaissance mapping and registration of slope movements. Bull Int Ass Eng Geol 17:5–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coe JA, Michael JA, Crovelli RA, Savage WZ, Laprade WT, Nashem WD (2004) Probabilistic assessment of precipitation-triggered landslide using historical records of landslide occurrence, Seattle Washington. Environ Eng Geosci X 2:103–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crosta G (1998) Regionalization of rainfall threshold: an aid to landslide hazard evaluation. Environ Geol 35(2–3):131–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crosta G, Frattini P (2001) Rainfall thresholds for triggering soil slips and debris flow. In: Proceeding of the EGS 2nd plinius conference 2000, mediterranean storms, Siena, pp 463–488

    Google Scholar 

  • Crovelli RA (2000) Probability models for estimation of number of coasts of landslides. USGS, Denver, Colorado

    Google Scholar 

  • Crozier MJ (1997) The climate-landslide couple: a southern hemisphere perspective. In: Matthews JA, Brunsden D, Frenzel B, Glaeser B, Weiss MM (eds) Rapid mass movement as a source of climatic evidence for the Holocene. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, pp 333–354

    Google Scholar 

  • Crozier MJ (1999) Prediction of rainfall-triggered landslides: a test of the antecedent water status model. Earth Surf Proc Land 24:825–833

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Culmann C (1866) Graphische Statik, Zurich

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahal RK, Hasegawa S, Masuda T, Yamanaka M (2006a) Roadside slope failures in Nepal during torrential rainfall and their mitigation. In: Marui H, Marutani T, Watanabe N, Kawabe H, Gonda Y, Kimura M, Ochiai H, Ogawa K, Fiebiger G, Heumader J, Rudolf-Miklau F, Kienholz H, Mikos M (eds) Proceeding of the Interpraevent international symposium, niigata 2006, Disaster mitigation of debris flow, slope failures and landslides, vol 2. Universal Academy Press, Tokyo, pp 503–514

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahal RK, Hasegawa S, Yamanaka M, Nishino K (2006b) Rainfall triggered flow-like landslides: understanding from southern hills of Kathmandu, Nepal and northern Shikoku, Japan. In: Proceedings of the 10th international congress of IAEG, The geological society of London, IAEG2006 Paper number, vol 819 pp 1–14 (CD-ROM)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahal RK (2006) Geology for technical students—a textbook for bachelor level students. Brikuti Academic Publication, Exhibition Road, Kathmandu, Nepal 756 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • De Vleeschauwer C, De Smedt F (2002) Modeling slope stability using GIS on a regional scale. In: Proceedings of the first geological belgica international meeting, vol 12. Aardkundige Mededelingen, leuven, 11–15 Sept 2002, pp 253–256

    Google Scholar 

  • De Smedt F (2005) Slope Instability analysis using GIS on a regional scale: a case study of Narayanghat-Mungling highway section, Nepal, a dissertation report presented at Universiteit Gent. Vrije Universiteit Brusssel, Belgium

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhakal AS, Amada TK, Aniya M (1999) Landslide hazard mapping and application of GIS in the Kulekhani watershed. Nepal, Mt Res Dev 19(1):3–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dhital MR, Khanal N, Thapa KB (1993) The role of extreme weather events, mass movements, and land use changes in increasing natural hazards, A Report of the preliminary field assessment and workshop on causes of recent damage incurred in southcentral Nepal, ICIMOD, Kathmandu, 19–20 July 1993, 123 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhital MR (2003) Causes and consequences of the 1993 debris flows and landslides in the Kulekhani watershed, central Nepal. In: Rickenmann D, Chen C-L (eds) Proceedings of the 3rd International conference debris-flow hazards mitigation: mechanics, prediction and assessment, vol 2. Millpress, Rotterdam, Netherlands, pp 931–942

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenti V (1992) Indagini geologic-techniche sull’ area del dispositivo di misura (in Italian). In: Marchi L (ed) II Basino attrezzato del Rio Cordon, Quadevni di Ricerca, n. 13, Ragione Veneto. Dipartimento Foreste, Venezia Mestre: (pp 109–122)

    Google Scholar 

  • Froehlich W, Gil E, Kasza I, Starkel L (1990) Thresholds in the transformation of slopes and river channels in the Darjeeling Himalaya. India Mt Res Dev 10(4):301–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gabet EJ, Burbank DW, Putkonen JK, Pratt-Sitaula BA, Oiha T (2004) Rainfall thresholds for landsliding in the Himalayas of Nepal. Geomorphology 63:131–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerrard J, Gardner RAM (2000) Relationships between rainfall and landsliding in the Middle Hills, Nepal. Norsk Geogr Tidsskr 54:74–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh S, Van Westen CJ, Carranza E, Jetten V (2009) Generation of event- based landslide inventory maps in a data-scarce environment; case study around Kurseong, Darjiling District, West Bengal, India. In: Malet P, Remaitre A, Bogaard T (eds) Landslide processes: from geomorphologic mapping to dynamic modeling: proceedings of the landslide processes. European centre on geomorphological hazards (CERG), Strasbourg, France, pp 37–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Giannecchini R (2006) Relationship between rainfall and shallow landslides in the southern Apuan Alps (Italy). Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 6:357–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glade T (1998) Establishing the frequency and magnitude of landslide-triggering rainstorm events in New Zealand. Environ Geol 35:160–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glade T, Crozier M, Smith P (2000) Applying probability determination to refine landslidetriggering rainfall thresholds using an empirical Antecedent Daily Rainfall Model. Pure Appl Geophys 157:1059–1079

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gumbel EJ (1954) Statistical theory of extreme values and some practical applications. Applied mathematics series 33. US bureau of standards, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Guzzetti F, Cardinali M, Reichenbach P, Cipolla F, Sebastiani C, Galli M, Salvati P (2004) Landslides triggered by the 23 November 2000 rainfall event in the Imperia Province, Western Liguria, Italy. Eng Geol 73:229–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guzzetti F, Peruccacci S, Rossi M, Stark CP (2007) Rainfall thresholds for the initiation of landslides in central and southern Europe. Meteorol Atmos Phys. doi10.1007/s00703-007-0262-7. Accessed 7 Aug 2007

  • Innes JL (1983) Debris flows. Prog Phys Geog 7:469–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keefer DK, Wilson RC, Mark RK, Brabb EE, Brown WM, Ellen SD, Harp EL, Wieczorek GF, Alger CS, Zatkin RS (1987) Real-time warning during heavy rainfall. Science 238(4829):921–925

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim SK, Hong WP, Kim YM (1991) Prediction of rainfall triggered landslides in Korea. In: Bell DH (ed.) Landslides, vol 2. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 989–994

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen MC, Simon A (1993) A rainfall intensity-duration threshold for landslides in a humidtropical environment. P R Geogr Ann 75(1–2):13–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li T, Wang S (1992) Landslide hazards and their mitigation in China. Science Press, Beijing 84 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Maiti RK (2007a) Irrational resource extraction introducing instability in slope and hydrodynamics- a case study at lish-chunkhola basin, Darjiling Indian. J Geograph Environ 8, 9:41–51 Vidyasagar University

    Google Scholar 

  • Maiti R (2007b) Identification of potential slope failure zones of shiv-khola watershed; Darjiling Himalaya, through critical analysis of slope instability- a step towards rational and scientific management of land, soil and water, UGC Sponsored Minor Research Project [F.31-210/2005(31.03.2007)]

    Google Scholar 

  • Manandhar IN, Khanal NR (1988) Study on landscape process with special reference to landslides in Lele watershed, central Nepal. Report submitted to Research Division, Tribhuvan University, unpublished, 53 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Metteotti G (1996) Valutazione del rischio di franosita per unbacino di tipo alpino (in Italian), Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Padova, Italy

    Google Scholar 

  • Melnikov M, Chensokov M (1969) Safety in open cast mining. Mir Publications, Moscow

    Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery DR, Dietrich WE (1994) A physically based model for the topographic control on shallow landsliding. Water Resour Res 30(4):1153–1171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neary DG, Swift Jr LW (1987) Rainfall thresholds for triggering a debris avalanching event in the southern Appalachian Mountains. In: Costa JE, Wieczorek GF (eds) Debris flows/avalanches: process, recognition and mitigation. Geol Soc Am Rev Eng Geol 7:81–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Pomeroy JS (1984) Storm-induced slope movements at East Brady, northwestern Pennsylvania. US Geol Surv Bull 1618:16 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar S (2011) Evolution of Paglajhora slump valley in the shivkhola basin, The Darjiling Himalaya, India. Geogr Pol, 84(Special Issue Part-2):117–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumm SA (1977a) The fluvial system. Willy, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumm SA (1977b) Drainage basin morphology, bechmark papers in geology, 4. Hutchinsons and Ross, Pennsylvannia, Dowden

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwab et al. (2002) Soil and water conservation Engineering. Wiley, New York, pp 18–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Skempton AW, Hutchinson JN (1969) Stability of natural slope and embankment section. In: Proceedings of the 7th international congress soil mechanics engineering mexicom, pp 291–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Starkel L (1972) The role of catastrophic rainfall in the shaping of the relief of the lower Himalaya (Darjeeling Hills). Geogr Pol 21:103–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Terlien MTJ (1997) Hydrological landslide triggering in ash covered slopes of Manizales (Columbia). Geomorphology 20:165–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terlien MTJ (1998) The determination of statistical and deterministic hydrological landslide triggering thresholds. Environ Geol 35(2–3):124–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terzaghi K (1962) Stability of steep slopes on hard unweathered rock, Geothnique 12:251–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Upreti BN, Dhital MR (1996) Landslide studies and management in Nepal. ICIMOD, Nepal 87 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Burkalow A (1945) Angle of repose and angle of sliding friction; an experimental study. Geol Soc Am Bull 56:669–707

    Google Scholar 

  • Varnes DJ (1978) Slope movement types and process. In Schuster RL, Krizek RJ (eds) Landslides analysis and control. Special Report 176, Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC, pp 12–33

    Google Scholar 

  • White ID, Mottershead DN, Harrison JJ (1996) Environmental systems, 2nd edn. Chapman and Hall, London 616 pp

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wieczorek GF (1987) Effect of rainfall intensity and duration on debris flows in central Santa Cruz Mountains, California. In: Crosta G, Wieczorek GF (eds) Debris flows/avalanches: processes, recognition and mitigation. Reviews in Engineering Geology, vol 7. Geological Society of America, pp 23–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieczorek GF (1996) Landslide triggering mechanisms. In: Turner AK, Schuster RL (eds) Landslides: investigation and mitigation, Transportation Research Board, Special Report 247. National Research Council, Washington, pp 76–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieczorek GF, Morgan BA, Campbell RH (2000) Debris flow hazards in the blue ridge of central Virginia. Environ Eng Geosci 6(1):3–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson RC, Wieczorek GF (1995) Rainfall threshold for the initiation of debris flow at La Honda, California. Environ Eng Geosci 1(1):11–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Zezere JL, Trigo RM, Trigo IF (2005) Shallow and deep landslides induced by rainfall in the Lisbon region (Portugal): assessment of relationships with the North Atlantic Oscillation. Nat Hazards Earth Sys Sci 5:331–344

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sujit Mandal .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mandal, S., Maiti, R. (2015). Geomorphic Threshold and Landslide. In: Semi-quantitative Approaches for Landslide Assessment and Prediction. Springer Natural Hazards. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-146-6_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics